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Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences

Applying for HSS F-REC Approval

This page briefly outlines the procedures and resources associated with applications for research ethics approval from the Faculty Research Ethics Committee (F-REC). The committee may be contacted directly by email: hss.frec@dcu.ie

Paths to appropriate research ethics approval within DCU vary according to the level, risk, and types of proposed research. The following provides an overview to help you in directing your application for approval of a research project from the Humanities & Social Sciences Faculty Research Ethics Committee:

Undergraduate (UG) and taught Masters-level (PGT) projects are reviewed and approved at local level, by the relevant School Ethics Convenor. Students should seek information on the associated procedures and deadlines from their supervisor(s) or programme chair. Supervisors and other staff involved in the approval of UG/PGT projects should be familiar with the School’s process and should contact their local Ethics Convenor for assistance.

All other HSS low-risk research projects may be reviewed and approved by the F-REC, using the application template and portal below.

Faculty postgraduate research (PGR) projects - i.e. Doctoral research and Masters-by-research thesis projects - should use this template and portal, but note that the application must be completed in conjunction with the research supervisor(s), who reviews and signs the application prior to submission. Supervisors should confirm that the research is low-risk if applying to F-REC.

All higher-risk research projects must be reviewed by the University-level REC, following their procedures and forms. Proceed here: REC Applying for Ethics Approval



Applying to F-REC for ethics approval

Ensure that you are completing the correct application template and procedure, by checking that ALL the following requirements for an approval by F-REC apply:

  • My proposed research involves a staff, doctoral, or masters-by-research project
  • My proposed research is within the Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences at DCU.
  • My proposed research does not involve vulnerable participants (e.g. minors).
  • My proposed research is low-risk.

If any of these requirements are not met, you should refer to the university-level REC for approval of your proposed project.


Deadlines for Application

The F-REC commences in September of each academic and meets several times during the year, providing decisions on submitted applications shortly after each meeting. The schedule of meetings is provided below.
 

F-REC Schedule 2025-2026 Academic Year
Application Deadline F-REC Decision Meeting
01 September 2025 (by 5pm)  11 September 2025
01 October 2025 (by 5pm) 16 October 2025
03 November 2025 (by 5pm)   13 November 2025
01 December 2025 (by 5pm) 11 December 2025
03 February 2026 (by 5pm) 12 February 2026
02 March 2026 (by 5pm)         12 March 2026
01 May 2026 (by 5pm) 14 May 2026
25 May 2026 (by 5pm)            4 June 2026

(25 May 2026 is the last submission date for ethical review before summer break).

Please note that late applications received after a submission deadline and time will usually not form part of that month’s meeting workload, but will be held over for the next available meeting.

For valid applications, submitted by one of the deadlines above, you should expect to hear from the F-REC about approval or edit requirements within 5 working days of the corresponding meeting that month.

HSS F-REC will be closed during the period 29 June 2026 – 31 July 2026.